| “Many of the visitors lingered in the unique Bird Gallery, and here might be noticed several touches of nature which illustrated very clearly the fact that the early country recollections of one's life are never effaced by the hue and cry of mere existence which is the lot of so many of the working classes in London.
These are cases showing the nesting habits of our best known British Birds. The great value of these groups consists in their absolute truthfulness. The surroundings are not selected by chance or imagination, but in every case are carefully executed reproductions of those that were present round the individual nest. When it has been, the actual rocks, trees, or grass have been preserved, or where there were of a perishable nature accurately modeled from nature. Far more care has been taken in preserving the natural and characteristic attitude of the birds then was formerly the case in Museums, as a large number of the old specimens in the wall cases unhappily testify. The eyes of some of the working men glistened with pleasure as they called their wife or children to come and look at birds and nest, while they had something to say about the habits of the bird, or perhaps bird-nesting, in bygone years.
This collection is simply excellent and most instructive, and the plan is well worth adoption by other Museums. Far reaching good must accrue from visits to these institutions of the working classes which will make itself apparent sooner or later. It is impossible to gauge results and there is no register of good impressions received from visits to Museums and picture galleries.” 5 |